Person:William Fulton (28)

There are several accounts of this William Smith marrying Mary Smith, daughter of John Smith. Based upon the following account, this appears to be in error:

http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/FULTON/2000-04/0955309719

Marriage #2: Jane Fulton m James Gillespie (1741)

Ten years later, the same marriage list includes one other Fulton marriage. Only one.

On 27 March 1741, Jane Fulton married James Gillespie at the First Presbyterian Church of Philadelphia. Jane Fulton is the widow of William Fulton and the daughter of Walter Denny, residents of Drumore Township, Lancaster Co., Pennsylvania.

That last sentence is a Fulton show-stopper and summarizes years of research and collaboration by Ann Irwin, James L. Fulton, Jr., William Denny, and yours truly, Patrice Stark.

Just in case you missed it:

• * * * * Fulton Show-Stopper Statement * * * * *

Jane Fulton is the widow of William Fulton and the daughter of Walter Denny residents of Drumore Township, Lancaster Co., Pennsylvania

William Fulton of Drumore, according to Lancaster County historians Ellis & Evans, is the grandfather of THE Robert Fulton. ["History of Lancaster County, PA" 1883. For an opposing viewpoint, see Futhey & Cope, "History of Chester County, PA". They favor Alexander Fulton of Chester County for this honor.]

Most published information will lead you to believe that William Fulton married Mary Smith. Further, you will find statements that Robert Fulton, father of THE Robert Fulton, married his first cousin, Mary Smith. It is unlikely that you will find any reference to the widow of William Fulton, Jane, daughter of Walter Denny.

How do I know that?

In 1734, William Fulton of Drumore Twp, received a Pennsylvania warrant for 150 acres situated on the Conowingo Creek. In 1737, Walter Denny patented the adjacent tract (formerly owned by Richard Beeson). Denny and Fulton were living here as early as 1732, possibly earlier. (Lancaster Co. Minute Book K, 1st month 1732/33).

No marriage record between William Fulton and Jane Denny has been found. Similarly, no marriage record between William Fulton and Mary Smith has been found.

On 25 March 1741, Jane Fulton received Letters of Administration for William Fulton, deceased, Walter Denny and Samuel Boyd, witnesses. Walter Denny submitted the inventory of William Fulton, deceased (signed by Walter Denny but undated). James Gillespie, husband of Jane (Denny) Fulton, acquired William Fulton's land. James Gillespie also acquired Walter Denny's land who is identified as Gillespie's father-in-law by surveyor John Churchman (Joseph Swift survey, 1789).

What does this mean?

Jane (Denny) Fulton, widow of William Fulton of Drumore Twp, Lancaster Co, PA, married (2) James Gillespie at the First Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia.

Why did they marry at the First Presbyterian Church of Philadelphia? Why not marry at any one of the nearby Presbyterian Churches? Chesnut Level, Pequa, Middle Octorora, Little Britain, Nottingham, Donegal, etc., etc.)

Why Rev. Jedediah Andrews? Did the marriage actually occur in Philadelphia, or did Andrews perform this marriage at some other location, the Abington Presbyterian Church near the Manor of Moreland, for example?

What about Mary Smith? Please, that's another topic.

One example of account of Wiliam Fulton supposedly marrying Mary Smith:

From "The history of descendants of John Smith, born in Ireland in 1686, died in Uwehlan, Chester County, PA in 1765 and his wife Susanna, born in Ireland in 1691, died in Uwehlan, 1767, pg. 18:

The history of Mary Smith's husband must be taken from somewhat discrepant accounts, but the following seems to reconcile fairly the authorities. William Fulton, of Kilkenny, Ireland, was born 1600, and died 1667. Hia grandson was "William Fulton, who, as above stated, married Mary Smith. Their son Robert (XVI 12 of this record), married Mary Smith (XVI 15), who was his cousin, being a daughter of Joseph Smith (XV 3). The occurrence of the two Mary Smiths in different generations has made some confusion in the several published accounts of the ancestry of Robert Fulton, the inventor. Joseph Smith (XV 3). It is probable, though not certain, that Joseph Smith, who was the youngest of the family, migrated with his brother and sister. He lived in Oxford township, Chester Co., Pennsylvania, about twenty- five miles southwest of John's home, the immediate locality being known as " Beetown" from the swarms of honey bees which were kept there. His will, dated May 22, 1760, probated June 12, 1760, names his wife Isabel, and their children in the order given in the table on page 16 ; speaks of his daughters Mary and Elizabeth as married — the former to Robert Fulton, the latter to James Criswell — and of his brother John Smith. No serious attempt is made in this record to trace the descendants of Mary or Joseph Smith, its purpose really being to make note of those persons of whom John Smith (XV 1) is the ancestor. Mary Smith's family is followed somewhat further than Joseph's, but that is chiefly because I found the genealogical record already made. I have made no investigation myself. From PARoots.com post:

DENNY, FULTON, GILLESPIE, MCCOMB posted by Tom Fulton on Tuesday, August 31, 1999

Fulton: am looking for info on my Grt, Grt, Grt, Grt, Grt Grandfather William FULTON who may have been the brother of Robert Fulton Sr. who was the father of Robert Fulton the inventor. William Fulton married Jane DENNY (whose family owned a neighboring farm on Conowingo Creek in Little Britain Township, Lancaster County, PA. William Fulton's son, William Fulton married Mary Lou MCCOMB, also a member of a local farming family. William Fulton's wife Jane Denny may have married a James Gillespie after Williams death. In addition, Robert Fulton Sr. purchased his home from James GILLESPIE in 1761 and sold it in 1765. Any additional information would be much appreciated.